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Course Descriptions

Core Courses (7 Courses, 21 Credit Hours)

LIS 60636 Knowledge Organization Structures, Systems And Services

Introduction to various types of knowledge organization systems, services, and structures (KOS) used in the networked environment. Understanding of the functional philosophical, logical, and linguistic fundamentals of KOS. Explanation of design options, features of KOS, and procedures to be used in the thesaurus, taxonomy and ontology construction. (3 Credit Hours)

UXD 60001 User Experience Design Principles And Concepts

Students explore the context in which User Experience Design exists and the various methods employed by designers in various fields related to design research, the generation of ideas and implementation of designs. Students are introduced to methods of design evaluation and to the conceptual framework of the related curricula. (3 Credit Hours)

UXD 60002 User Experience Design In Practice

Students learn and employ methods for engaging in creative problem solving. Introduce students to design research methods and current research on human behavior as it applies to user experience design. A core set of design deliverables are examined. Students begin to develop individual portfolio materials. (3 Credit Hours)

UXD 60101 Information Architecture I

Introduction to the fundamental concepts and practices of information architecture (IA). Students develop practical skills for comparing, analyzing, critiquing and designing information architectures. Major topics include organization, navigation, labeling, search and other core IA concepts. Students learn to create blueprints, wireframes, process flows and other documents used to communicate an information architecture design. (3 Credit Hours)

UXD 60103 Researching The User Experience I

Design research seeks to understand user needs, goals and tasks. Deals with research methods for human-centered design of information-rich artifacts and experiences. Covers interviews, surveys, diary studies and other methods applicable to the formative stages of the design process. Students learn to distill research findings into audience segments, user profiles, personas, scenarios and other documents that model user behavior. (3 Credit Hours)

UXD 60104 Usability I

Provides a conceptual and practical overview of the processes and methods of usability testing, such as Think Aloud protocols, performance measurements and eye-tracking analysis. Actual usability testing is performed, using quantitative and qualitative methods and employing current and emerging software tools to facilitate data collection and analysis. (3 Credit Hours)

UXD 60106 Content Strategy I

Introduces the field of content strategy and its relationship to user experience design. Includes history and practices of content strategy, how to analyze user needs for content, the production of written materials related to content strategy and content audits and governance models. This course is the conceptual basis behind content strategy. (3 Credit Hours)

Electives (choose from the following)

UXD 60110 Information Technologies

Covers four aspects of information technology: essential technology concepts, the making of software, the social consequences of information technology and the role of non-programmers in technology design. Topics include operating systems, networks, search engines, markup languages, social software, dynamic languages, cloud computing, open source software, technology trends and the history of computing. (3 Credit Hours)

UXD 60111 Information Architecture II

This course will cover current topics in architecting for a changing web environment. Conceptual and technical aspects of Web 2.0 and Rich Internet Applications (RIA) have created the need for different types of design deliverables and usability considerations. In order to understand how to architect for Web 2.0, we must come to an understanding of what it is and how it works at least at a basic level. In addition, design tools to aid information architects are becoming more advanced and can aid IAs, making them more effective and efficient. These tools will be covered in depth. (3 Credit Hours)

UXD 60113 Researching User Experience II

In order to design and develop effective user interfaces, task analysis process and theory are explored and applied via principles drawn from anthropology, ethnography, cognitive psychology, document and instruction systems design and marketing research. Practical techniques and methodologies are presented to improve interface design through all phases of the design process. (3 Credit Hours)

UXD 60114 Usability II

Provides students with an understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods appropriate for conducting advanced studies of human interaction with computers. In addition, students learn how to evaluate, purchase, implement and operate equipment for usability labs in a manner consistent with research methods. (3 Credit Hours)

UXD 60116 Content Strategy II

Delves into the actual practice of content strategy, and more advanced topics of how content strategy intersects with user experience design. Topics such as return on investment, change management, content management systems, document delivery, future: proofing, and content promotion and optimization are introduced as topics relevant to user experience design. (3 Credit Hours)

UXD 60691 Seminar In User Experience Design

Advanced research by students who are qualified to examine problems of certain special areas related to concentrations of study in user experience design. (1-3 Credit Hours, repeatable for credit)

UXD 60792 Elective Internship In User Experience Design

Supervised work experience in user experience design of a professional nature of not less than 100 clock hours (for 2 credit hours) or 150 clock hours (for 3 credit hours) with directed readings and preparation of a paper. (2-3 Credit Hours)

UXD 61095 Interaction Design

This course provides students with experience planning, designing and prototyping interactions. Students will learn common interaction design (IxD) methodologies, what is expected of interaction designers, and what deliverables a designer typically provides. Students will practice interaction design by specifying content organization, hierarchy and user journeys for a mobile application in wireframe form. Students will create a functional prototype, building in the basic functionality needed for navigation and process funnels. Finally, students will test their prototypes formally. (3 Credit Hours)

Culminating Requirement (choose from the following)

UXD 66080 Professional Portfolio Design And Assessment

Students complete the assembly and evaluation of their work throughout the User Experience Design program in the form of a professional portfolio that will be used in efforts to gain employment or freelance work. Evaluation is done through critique by User Experience Design faculty and by peers. (3 Credit Hours)

UXD 66092 Master's Internship In User Experience Design

Supervised work experience of an advanced professional nature that concentrates on developing skills in areas of user experience design and integrates their knowledge from all UXD courses and experiences. Students must have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours towards the user experience design major prior to registration. (3 Credit Hours)

UXD 66098 Masters Project In User Experience Design

Provides a means for the application of the knowledge, research and competencies learned through study in user experience design to the development of an information system, product, setting or service. Cumulative GPA of 3.000 is required prior to enrolling in the course. Students must have completed 30 credit hours towards the MS-UXDE program prior to registration. (3 Credit Hours)

UXD 66198 Master's Research Paper In User Experience Design

Under the advisement of a faculty member, students will complete a research paper that serves as a culminating experience for the M.S.-UXD degree. Students must have completed 30 credit hours towards the MS-UXDE program prior to registration. (3 Credit Hours)

UXD 66199 Thesis I

Thesis students must register for a total of 6 hours, 2 to 6 hours in a single semester distributed over several semesters if desired. Students must have completed 30 credit hours towards the MS-UXDE program prior to registration. (2-6 Credit Hours)

Course Requirements

Courses are delivered through our course management system, Blackboard Learn. Course content consists of text, narrated PowerPoint presentations, video and audio, live chats, discussion groups and other learning enhancements. To participate in this online program, you will need a computer with a broadband Internet connection. Your program may have further requirements that include the ability to record video and audio.

If you have questions regarding technology requirements for this program, please contact your Admissions Advisor at onlinedegrees@kent.edu or toll-free at 844-234-4073.